Philippine E-Journals

God and Evil: The Relation of their Existence

Napoleon M. Mabaquiao Jr.

 

Abstract:

This essay is a critical analysis of a strong argument against the existence of God: the argument from evil. According to this argument, it is wrong or irrational to believe in that there is a God who is all knowing, wholly good, and all powerful because this belief allegedly contradicts the occurrence of evils in the world. This essay aims to demonstrate that this argument is mistaken in both of its two versions: the logical and evidential versions. Critical in this demonstration are the following considerations: whether the extent of God’s power is measured by the extent of his use of this power; whether the goodness of God consists only of the intention to eliminate all evils or prevent their occurrence in the world; and whether human understanding is a sufficient basis for determining the sense or meaningfulness of events occurring in the world.